Suspect arraigned in strangulation death of Pontiac woman

Bobby Lee Taylor, 42, of Pontiac, rolls his eyes as a list of charges are read, including first-degree murder, during his arraignment at 50th District Court in Pontiac, Thursday June 20, 2013. (Oakland Press Photo:Vaughn Gurganian)

A suspect was arraigned Thursday in the strangulation death of a Pontiac woman -- which had ignited a national media frenzy on the "Nancy Grace" show from a celebrity associated with the victim.

Bobby Lee Taylor, 42, was charged with one count of first-degree murder of 32-year-old Pontiac resident Rosaline Ransom-Lee, as well as one count of first-degree felony murder and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

He also was charged in a separate case, the home invasion, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration and larceny for stealing another victim's phone in a separate case on Sept. 15, 2012, on the 300 block of Baldwin.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office discovered Ransom-Lee's body on the morning of May 26 in Terry Lake, east of Baldwin and north of Montcalm. The 32-year-old's 2001 white Dodge Caravan was found around 6:30 a.m. May 27 -- less than a mile away from the lake -- on Burt Street, by a neighbor who called in the tip.

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The case gained national exposure after a friend of Ransom-Lee's family -- Star Jones, former co-host of television show "The View" and a frequent contributor at "The Today Show" -- used her celebrity as a platform in a case that she feels could've otherwise fallen by the wayside.

Jones, a former homicide prosecutor and close friend of Rosaline Ransom Lee's sister, Richelle, said she sent 180 emails to friends in the media upon hearing about the murder to help in any way she could.

After she got word of Taylor's arraignment Thursday, Jones sent a note of thanks to those who made Rosaline's case known to the public. She also shared what she has learned so far from Sheriff Michael Bouchard.

"My experience tells me that it is extremely hard to solve a 'stranger murder,' but this time, most of the cards happen to be on our side," said Jones in an email statement. "According to the police, they have a strong circumstantial case that has forensic evidence, DNA and statements of the defendant that are inconsistent with the evidence; so the ex-homicide prosecutor in me says that a conviction on all charges is the likely outcome."

Nothing will ease the pain of this family, but with this arrest they will start to heal, added Jones.

Taylor, a Pontiac resident, became a person of interest in the case when DNA evidence collected during an autopsy confirmed his involvement in the case. He was questioned by Sheriff's Office detectives and the FBI on June 5 and was at that time arrested and lodged for a parole violation unrelated to the homicide.

"I am extremely proud of our team, including the investigators and our crime lab professionals," Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard said in a statement released Thursday. "This was great old-fashioned police work merged with current high-tech capabilities."

Taylor is believed to have acted alone in the abduction, sexual assault and murder.

Both murder charges could, with conviction, carry a mandatory life sentence without parole, while the sexual assault charge carries a potential life sentence.

A pre-exam for Taylor is set for June 27.

FYI

In an effort to make something good come out of something so horrible, said Star Jones, she and her colleagues have created "Rhonda's Rules," a tragedy preparedness checklist for women that has gotten an "overwhelming response," according to the former host of "The View." To learn more, visit http://blog.napw.com/rhondas-rules-a-womans-guide